A/N:

This goes out to Elena who recently reviewed an earlier chapter, I know we aren't supposed to do this but I really thought it deserved a response.

The reason I had Snape come up with the plan is for two reasons, Hermione did not think that her parents were much of a target as long as she wasn't around and they were not in their place of residence. I agree she is smart enough to think of such a plan, she didn't have the chance to think of it because Snape arrived with a plan already in place. And if anyone knows how to hide from a death eater it would be him. The other reason is that in Deathly Hallows JKR makes a mistake and has Hermione admitting that she's never done a memory charm when they are in the cafe. I decided to work off of that and make it a slip up of Hermione's and not JKR's therefore Snape would have had to do the charm. Im also not entirely convinced that she could have done such a complicated charm on her first try.

Also a big thanks to AlleyCat for reviewing and getting me to post this latest chapter!

Chapter 14

Monday

"Hello, Severus. Sorry I was gone so long," Hermione said walking into his bedroom ten minutes later. She had found Nokey cleaning the kitchen and released him of his babysitting duties for the night, ordering him to get a good nights sleep.

"Were you?" Severus commented loftily. Hermione knew better though. If Severus admitted to not noticing something, he had definitely noticed.

"Yes, I decided to meet with Minerva to talk about taking my Potions NEWT early," Hermione explained before sitting down beside him on the bed. He put his book down to look over at her.

"Did she persuade you to change your mind?"

"She only wants what's best for me," Hermione said tenderly.

"Do you think that I am what's best for you?" Severus asked, it was odd to hear him confirm their relationship, even in the most abstract way.

"Yes, I do actually."

Severus grunted, apparently amused by her answer. "You can't possibly believe that. How, my dear, am I the best for you?"

"You challenge me. You annoy me almost as much as I annoy you. "

"And that's supposed to be a good thing?"

"Don't interrupt, I'm not finished." Hermione gave him a warning look before scooting closer to him, resting her head on his chest. "Have I ever told you how much I love arguing with you? Because I do."

"You're a strange witch."

"Still not done Severus," she said lightly swatting him. "You live a simple life, or at least you dreamt of living one after the war, that's what I want. You risked everything to save my parents and keep them safe. You taught me how to survive while on the run. You are the strongest man I know. My parents love you. You think of saving house elves in the middle of a battle, you teach me something new everyday. I love your quick wit, it keeps me on my toes. If there was a fire, we would both try to save our books first, before anything else. You are able to cheer me up, no matter how down I am. You make me feel safe, as if I will never be hurt as long as you're by my side. That, my dear, is how you're best for me." Hermione finished her speech looking him in the eyes before straddling him and lowering her lips to his, this time showing, instead of telling him how much she needed him.

…...

"I forgot to mention," Hermione said to Severus later that evening, "Kingsley and Minerva will be stopping by tomorrow morning."

Severus groaned, "What does that insufferable man want?"

"Honestly, Severus! Kingsley is not insufferable. He's quite nice actually, I don't know what you have against the man. He's never been anything but respectful to you." Hermione rolled her eyes at the impossible man before her.

"Are you going to tell me what Shacklebolt wants?" Severus said, in a more agreeable tone this time.

"Apparently he's having trouble tracking down a few Death Eaters, he thinks you might be able to shed some light on the matter." Hermione looked at Severus who was deep in thought, a serious expression across his face. "I think it'll be good for you, perhaps you'll be a real help to the Aurors."

"Merlin knows the fools need all the help they can get."

"You're in a foul mood," she said getting up off the bed.

"Where are you going?"

"Calm down, it's time to change your bandages," Hermione said coming round to the other side of the bed. "Come on now, sit up," she ordered. She vanished his shirt, but took the time to carefully remove his bandages the muggle way. "It's healing up nicely, it should only need bandages for another day or two,"Hermione commented before applying the necessary amount of dittany to his neck.

"One can only hope," Severus replied.

"Does that feel alright?" Hermione asked, referring to the newly taped gauze across his wound.

"It's fine," Severus said with a curt nod.

"Can you scoot forward a little so I can put the burn salve on your back?" Severus obliged with no more than a small grumble of discontent. Hermione didn't care how much he grumbled, it was one of her favourite parts of the day, though she was embarrassed to admit it. It was one of the rare cases where she had an excuse to openly admire his body.

"Madame Pomfrey is able to do this in about two minutes, how is it that it takes you more than ten?" Severus asked dryly.

"Hmm ...not sure. I can send you back to the hospital wing if you prefer her to treat you," Hermione said smartly.

"That will not be necessary. Besides I wasn't complaining, merely taking note of the fact."

"I thought so." Hermione got up then, finished with her ministrations for the night. "I'll just get ready for bed and then I'll give you your dreamless sleep."

"Actually, I was wondering if you could make some of your tea? I'd rather not take the Dreamless Sleep so often, and I haven't had your tea since before the battle."

"Of course, I'll go make a cup now!" Hermione beamed at him before running into the kitchen.

When Hermione returned to the bedroom, it was to find Severus dressed in his usual night clothes consisting of a black tee and black cotton pants. "Now here's your tea, be back on a mo'!" She said before entering the bathroom. After brushing her teeth and washing her face she dressed in her nightgown and made her way out of the bathroom over to what was now her side of the bed.

"I think I'll set the alarm for half past six, just in case," Hermione said as she slid under the covers curling up beside Severus.

"Just in case of what?" Severus asked.

"Minerva and Kingsley are coming tomorrow morning, remember? What if they decide to come earlier, thats the last thing that either of us needs right now."

"I hardly think they'd turn up at six thirty," Severus said, teasing her now.

"No I don't think they would either, but constant vigilance has kept us alive so far, no reason to throw caution to the wind now."

Severus sighed dramatically, "You worry too much."

…...

Tuesday

It turned out that Hermione did worry too much as Kingsley and Minerva arrived on the dot of nine just like Minerva had said they would. "Kingsley! It's so good to see you!" Hermione said, giving her friend and current Minister a hug. She hadn't really seen him since her summer spent at the Burrow, they hadn't exactly had time to chat during the battle of Hogwarts.

"Hermione, lovely to see you as ever, how are you?" Kingsley said returning her hug.

"I'm doing well thanks, I was actually wondering if I could have a word with you before you spoke with Professor Snape?" Hermione asked hesitantly.

"Of course, would you like us to move into the living room?" Kingsley said, looking quite serious.

"Oh that won't be necessary, what I wanted to speak about concerns Professor Snape as well," Hermione explained.

"Oh?" Kingsley said a brow raised in curiosity as he spared a glance at the Professor.

"Yes, Im not sure if Minerva has told you, but Professor Snape helped me put my parents into hiding this past summer. He had heard rumours that they were in danger and helped me erase their memories and get them to Australia safely."

"No. I hadn't heard about any of this actually," Kingsley responded.

"Yes, well I was hoping that you might be able to help us procure an international portkey, for sometime late next week?" Hermione asked hopefully.

"Of course, let me know at the memorial service the exact date and time you'd like to go and the return date and time, I'll be sure to get it to you as quickly as possible."

"Thank you Kingsley, you really are the best. Well I've already taken too much of your very precious time, I'll let you three talk while I go visit with Ginny for a bit," Hermione said giving Kingsley another hug before opening the door to go. "I'll return in around eleven Professor to make lunch." She heard Severus grumble something under his breath, he hated when she treated him like a child in front of others. She hadn't meant to, but there was nothing she could do about it now.

"Hello boys," Hermione greeted as she stepped through the portrait hole of Gryffindor tower.

"Hermione!" Harry and Ron exclaimed in unison, running over to greet her properly.

"We didn't think we'd see you until supper," Ron added.

"Well Kingsley and Minerva are having a meeting with the professor at the moment, so I thought I'd use this time to see you both," she said with a smile. "Where's Ginny?"

"Still getting up I think. We were up late last night with a few other students that have decided to stay here this summer," Harry explained.

"Speaking of which, what are you two planning to do this summer? We haven't really discussed further than the next few weeks," Hermione asked curiously.

"It's a bit up in the air at the moment," Harry answered, scratching his head, "I want to see Teddy as much as possible, I want him to know he has a family and a godfather that cares about him."

Hermione squeezed his hand and said reassuringly, "I don't think you have to be worried about a lack of love in his life, you, the Weasley's, me -we're all his family now, he's going to be surrounded by more love than he'll know what to do with."

"Yeah," Harry said with a small smile. "You're right." After a moment of silence Harry added, "I spoke with Mrs Tonks, we've decided it's best for Teddy to stay with her, I'll be at Hogwarts next year, and after that I'll hopefully be starting my Auror training. Besides I think she needs Teddy as much as he needs her. And when he's older he'll have a bedroom of his own at Grimmauld so he can stay whenever he likes."

"So you'll be living at Grimmauld then? Once you graduate?"

"Yeah, Ron and I have been talking about it. We figure it'll be a good place to live if we both get into the Auror program, we were hoping you might want to live there too, if you don't have other plans."

Hermione was shocked by the offer. Not that she should have been surprised by this, Harry and Ron had mentioned it many times while they were on the run together. But the truth was she had no idea what her plans were. She hoped that whatever she had with Severus would last past graduation... maybe even -no don't go there Hermione, he might not even want marriage! "Honestly, I have no idea what I'll be doing after Hogwarts," Hermione admitted.

"Well that's a first!" Ron exclaimed.

"It is, isn't it? I'm not so sure how I feel about it. I've always had a plan in the past."

"Morning!" The Golden Trio turned in unison at the sound of Ginny's salutation. "Hermione I didn't know you'd be here, you should have come to get me!"

"I haven't been here that long, besides I heard you had a late night last night, I figured you needed your rest."

Ginny smirked and replied, "I suppose I did overdo it a tad, but under the circumstances I think I'm allowed a free pass. Voldemort has been vanquished, by my ever-so-dashing boyfriend I might add," she said giving Harry a loud peck on the cheek. "So how's Snape treating you? Not keeping you up all night with demands is he?" Ginny asked a mischievous grin on her face.

"He's doing nothing of the sort! It's been quite nice actually, catching up with him. It's been months since we've seen each other."

"What do you mean months?" Harry asked confused.

"Sorry?" Hermione said.

"You haven't seen him since our sixth year." Harry reminded her.

Hermione blushed at being caught in a lie. "That's not entirely true."

"WHAT!" Both Harry and Ron yelled back.

"When did you see him? Why didn't you tell us? This doesn't make any sense!" Ron and Harry shot question after question at her.

"Hold on!" Hermione said putting her hands up. "Let me explain, then ask your questions."

They both went silent waiting to hear what she had to say, though she could tell that both of them were finding it hard not to speak. "As you know Snape and I were on friendly terms. After what happened on the tower, I was devastated. I wondered how I could have been so wrong about a person. The day after I arrived home he came to me, told me what had really happened, that he and Dumbledore had this planned from the beginning. He told me that my parents were in danger and that there was a plan to kidnap me and my family. If it wasn't for him, me, my parents, we'd all be dead. He was the one who helped me put my parents in hiding."

"Wait?" Ron began, "So that's where you were? Thats why your house was empty?"

"Yes." Hermione nodded.

"So you went to Australia with Snape?"

"Well no, not exactly," Hermione said avoiding everyones gaze. "I stayed at his safe house."

"You what?!" All three exclaimed at once.

"Professor Snape knew that I was planning to go on the run with you two, he knew that none of us were prepared. We spent everyday preparing for our time on the run,"Hermione explained.

"But that's still almost a year." Harry interrupted. "You were at Ron's by June."

"Yes, I also met up with him in September, just after we had escaped the Ministry."

"How?" Harry asked.

"I communicated with him through Phineas."

"Hermione, how could you? What if it hadn't been Snape that you were giving information to? There was no way to be sure," Harry scolded.

"I was smart about it Harry, I made sure to go to a place where only he and I knew about, no one else could have gotten there."

Harry was about to say more when he was interrupted by Ginny, "I suppose there's nothing we can do about it now, right Harry?"

Harry looked at her for a moment before saying, "Yeah, you're right. Sorry Hermione."

"I'm sorry to both of you for lying, I hated doing it, but I had to keep it secret. You both understand don't you?"

"Of course we do Hermione," Ron said giving her a small smile.

"Have you told Snape that you're coming with us tomorrow?" Harry asked noticeably changing the subject.

Hermione looked over at him, "No actually I forgot to mention it to him, I guess I'll tell him when I get back."

"When are you leaving to find your parents?" Ginny asked.

"Well we can't go until Professor Snape is healthy enough to do magic on his own, so about a week I'd say."

"Professor Snape is going with you?" Ron asked.

"Yes, he's the one who put the memory charm on them in the first place. It's much safer if the original caster is also the one to take it off."

"So you're going on vacation with Snape?" Harry asked, his face showing his utter confusion.

"Going to Australia to find my parents who are under one of the most extremely complex and dangerous memory charms that I've ever heard of is not what I'd call a vacation Harry."

"Right, sorry."

"But still you'll be traveling with him. Won't that be weird?" Ron asked.

"No! It will not! Honestly you two are so... so... immature sometimes it astounds me!" Hermione said. "I'd better get going, I have a lot to do before going to get the Dursley's with you two tomorrow. See you three at dinner," Hermione said a slight tone to her voice.

After the portrait hole closed Ron looked at his sister and best friend, confused more than usual and said, "Was it something I said?"

…...

Hermione walked into Severus' private quarters to find them vacant but for the Potions Master, who was currently reading some official looking documents. "Well?" She said walking over to sit beside him on the bed. "How did it go? What is all this?"

Severus looked up at her, a question in his eyes. "Honestly Severus, I'm fine. You know how the boys can be sometimes," Hermione said rolling her eyes. "So what did Kingsley have to say?"

"More or less what Minerva had already told you. They want me to read over these," he said gesturing with a sigh to a large stack of papers piled upon his bedside table.

"What are they?"

"Once a Death Eater has been caught the Ministry questions them for information, they want me to look through all of the transcripts to find discrepancies. Kingsley also had a few questions about the movements of some Death Eaters that have so far not been caught." Placing the papers he had just been reading back on top of the pile, he said, "Why are you so upset? I didn't expect you back for another hour."

"Honestly it's nothing. I'm just a bit overwhelmed I guess, what with the memorial, getting you better, my parents and then of course meeting the Dursley's tomorrow should be a right delight!" Hermione said the last part of her sentence with false cheeriness.

"You're assisting Potter in moving his family back home? My condolences," Severus said sincerely.

"That's right, you knew Mrs Dursley." This was the first mention of Severus' past with Lily and it was quite obvious that they both realized it.

"Severus it's okay. I would be a fool to think that you never fancied anyone before me. Honestly it's not a problem." He was silent. "You're….. you're not still in love with her are you?" She said hesitantly. This had been on her mind ever since Harry had explained what he had seen in Severus' memories.

"Of course I'm not!" He spat out. "I'd have never started things with you if it had been otherwise. You think I would risk everything for a little fling that meant nothing?"

"So this is more than a fling to you?" Hermione looked up at him hopefully.

"Of course it is!" Severus ground out frustratedly.

She smiled brightly at hearing this confession. "It's more than a fling for me too."

"I bloody well hope so!"

Surprising both of them she moved to straddle his lap.

"What are you doing?" He said with a bewildered look on his face.

"How can I not kiss you after that?" She said with a look that she hoped was seductive.

…...

Wednesday

"Morning!" Hermione said brightly to Harry and Ron upon meeting them the next day.

"Morning Hermione," Ron and Harry said in unison.

"How are you feeling Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Odd really, I didn't think I'd be seeing them again. And now here we are, going to help Dedalus move them back home."

"Have you heard anything from Dedalus?" Hermione asked.

"I haven't spoken with him, but McGonagall did, and he's expecting us at the safe house any minute now. The secret is, You can find the Dursley's at 231 Grove Street. McGonagallll showed me the place a few days ago, hold on and I'll apparate us."

Hermione and Ron obliged and the next thing they knew they were standing in a deserted alleyway. "Come on, it's this way," Harry said directing them down towards the street. Not a minute later they were standing outside 231 Grove Street. It was a row house, made out of brick that had been painted over in white, outside each of the four tall thin windows were bright red geranium plants. It looked nothing like a safe house, though Hermione supposed that was the point.

"Can we just walk in?" Ron asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, Kingsley reckons they're safe now, he put up a few protective charms on their Privet Drive house just in case. Dedalus is expecting us, so it should be fine," Harry answered before turning the knob on the door. It was silent upon entering the row house, the trio was standing at the beginning of a very long hallway. Hermione opened her mouth to say that maybe they had the wrong house when they heard something moving in one of the rooms down the hall.

"Hello?" Hermione called. "Is anyone there?"

Suddenly there was a loud crash, followed by a short man in a purple hat coming out of the room farthest on the right. "Harry Potter! It is you!" The man said in a cheery voice. "I apologize, the time has gotten away from me. How nice it is to see you again," he said coming to stand in front of the trio, shaking Harry's hand as if he might never get the chance again.

"Hi Dedalus, nice to see you. These are my friends Ron and Hermione."

"Of course, of course! The famous Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, what an honour!" He said bowing his head as he kissed Hermione's hand. "The names Dedalus Diggle, it's a delight to meet you both."

"Harry?"

The four of them looked down the hall to see Dudley Dursley appear out of the room Dedalus had come from. "My apologies Mr Potter! Of course, you must want to see your family! Please come in, come in. Dudley and I were just watching the television, a delightful show about a muggle that travels the world looking for strange animals! It's quite odd, he's from England and hasn't even mentioned the Welsh heard of dragons near St. Davids!"

"Is it true that you rode on the back of a dragon?" Dudley asked, making his way up to his cousin.

"Uh... yeah Hermione and Ron too," Harry replied, surprised by the amount of enthusiasm his cousin was showing for his world. "Where are your parents?"

Dudley's expression slackened at the mention of the two people who loved him most. "They're still upstairs. Packing up all their things most likely. Only heard last night that it'd be safe for us to return home."

"Aren't you ready to get out of this place?" Harry asked, noticing his cousins glum expression.

"Course, its just going to be... I dunno... weird."

"Yeah, I'd imagine so," Harry said awkwardly.

"Well, I better go see if Mum and Dad are ready to go," Dudley said before turning around and through the door behind him. Harry waited until he heard his cousins footsteps getting fainter before turning to Dedalus and saying, "I hope they weren't too much trouble Dedalus."

"Not at all, not at all! They are quite interesting folks, I learnt a lot from them! I daresay I could get a job at the Muggle Relations Office after this last year!" Dedalus chortled. "Now let me see where your aunt and uncle have gotten too, I'm sure that-"

Dedalus was interrupted then by the booming voice of uncle Vernon, "Where is he! Where is that ruddy excuse for a-" Vernon Dursley cut off at seeing his least favourite nephew. "There you are boy. Do you have any idea what Petunia and I have had to go through! All so you... you freaks," he said spitting the last word, "can go around killing each other and riding on the backs of bloody dragons!"

"Dad-" Dudley began but was quickly cut off by his father.

"No son, no. I'll have no part in this world. I'll be glad if I never set eyes on-"

By this point Hermione had had enough of this seemingly horrible man's words. She had always imagined Harry's aunt and uncle to be horrid people but this man was going too far and after everything they had been through she wasn't about to just let these hateful words slide. "Now wait just one moment!" She yelled back.

Vernon Dursley turned to look at the petite woman standing beside his nephew, "Who the ruddy hell are you? Do not talk to me as if-"

"As if what? You're a horrible man! How dare you treat Harry like that! He risked his life to save everyone else and the first thing you do is attack him? You would be dead right now if it wasn't for him!"

"Hermione-" Harry began, resting a consoling arm on her shoulder.

"No Harry! You can't let him talk to you like that!"

"I'll talk to him however I well please! Our lives have been put on hold for the past year because of what he is. And it hasn't been a picnic raising the boy either, trying to hide the fact that he was a freak!"

"Harry is not a freak!" Hermione shrieked.

"Hermione it's fine really, lets just get them back home and we can forget all about this. It's fine really." Harry said at an attempt to soothe her.

"How can you just stand there? After the way they treated you?"

"Maybe we should go," Ron suggested hesitantly.

"That sounds like a good idea," Harry agreed readily. "Ron, Hermione see you back at the castle?"

"But-" Hermione began, not sure what was really happening.

"Come on Hermione," Ron said practically dragging her down the hall. "Nice meeting you Dedalus!" Ron called.

A few minutes later the pair were back outside the castle gates. "Ron! What on earth? Why did you do that?"

"Couldn't you see what you were doing? Harry didn't want to argue with them. You were bringing up all that old stuff, that's not what that trip was about. He wanted to move on with everything that had happened."

"But... but didn't you hear what that oaf was saying to Harry? He was the one bring up old memories!"

"Harry can handle an angry uncle. But an angry Hermione," Ron said shaking his head, "no one can handle an angry Hermione. You're bloody terrifying you are! Don't know where that temper comes from. Luckily Harry's uncle didn't realize how close he was to being hexed otherwise we would've had a real problem."

It seemed that arguing with Severus had improved her ferocity without her realizing it. Or maybe she had always been that way and it was only being brought to her attention now. Hermione looked over at Ron, giving him a small smile, "How did I become the rash one out of the group?"

"Not sure really. I must be growing up," Ron said with a chuckle.

"Must be," Hermione said with a sigh, filling her lungs with as much fresh air as possible. "Fancy a walk around the lake?"

"I'd love to, you don't have to run back to the dungeons?" Ron asked surprised.

"No, why do you say it like that?"

"Haven't you realized that you spend all your time down there with him?"

"Well, yes. But Madame Pomfrey said-"

"She said to give him his medicine, and keep an eye on him, not to be by his side every moment of everyday," Ron countered.

"But I have to make sure he doesn't start doing magic-"

Ron cut her off again and said, "He's a grown wizard Hermione if he wants to do magic knowing full well that he shouldn't that's his problem.

She had to be honest that Ron had a good point, "Well, I'm not by his bedside now, so I suppose I've proven you wrong." They walked in silence for a little while, enjoying each other's company.

"You're coming by the Burrow tomorrow after the memorial service right?"

Hermione nodded in the affirmative, "Of course, there's no place I'd rather be."

"Good, Im glad. Mums also having a dinner the night after for all of the Order. Do you think you'll be able to make it?"

"Minerva had told me about it, I don't see why not. It'll be great to see everyone under different circumstances," Hermione replied.

Soon after they began the walk back towards the castle, both going their separate ways once entering the school.

…...

Thursday

Hermione woke the next morning with a heavy weight on her shoulders. She had not been looking forward to today knowing it would be one full of tears and sorrow. It would also be Severus' first public appearance since the battle, another thing she was not looking forward to. She could handle the staring and the whispers and so could Severus for that matter, she was more worried about the more vocal opinions. The past few weeks she had worked with Kingsley on trying to change the public opinion of Severus, and for the most part it had worked, truly it had, the Prophet had even named him a Battle of Hogwarts Hero just yesterday. But there were going to be a lot of people who had seen Severus the Death Eater in action, and who might not be as convinced of his innocence.

"Hermione, stop worrying," Severus murmured in his morning voice. "I can practically hear your thoughts."

"Sorry," Hermione said as she raised her occlumency shields. "I hadn't realised you were awake," she said looking over at him.

"Trust me, no one could sleep through the racket you're making."

"Will you come to the Weasley's today, after the service?"

"No."

"Severus, please. I think-"

"Don't you dare say it'd be good for me, because that simply isn't true. They all hate me Hermione. They always have, even before Dumbledore."

"Fine, I'll drop it this time," Hermione said getting out of bed.

The morning passed by quite quickly as people began arriving for the memorial service. It was to begin at noon and last most of the afternoon. Hogwarts had opened its doors to all the visitors for a brunch before the service. When Hermione and Severus had first entered the Great Hall there had been a few murmurs and backs turned. Fortunately it was then that Harry had come to their rescue giving Hermione a warm embrace and Severus a firm handshake, it was his way of confirming to everyone that Severus Snape was on the side of the light and anyone who had a problem with Severus had a problem with Harry. Wizards and witches from all over had come to pay their respects to the victims of the war. Most of whom wanted to meet with "The Chosen One".

"Poor Harry," Hermione said after watching her friend shake stranger after strangers hand for over half an hour.

"Whatever do you mean?" Severus said raising an annoyed brow.

"You can't tell me that you'd enjoy what he's going through," Hermione said gesturing to the scene before them.

"Certainly not! But I, unlike Mr Potter do not crave the spotlight."

"Neither does Harry, honestly you can be so pigheaded sometimes!" Hermione said in a huff. "You'll have to get over this thing with Harry someday, you can't be mean to him forever," she said crossing her arms.

"Watch me," he said simply, trying to hide his smirk at her indignant expression.

Around half past eleven the crowd began to make their way down to grounds where the memorial was being held. It was odd being back here, only just over a year ago Hermione had been attending another memorial service. This time though she not only had Ron and Harry, she had Severus. The Order had a section of seats in the front taking up the first three rows of the right half. Hermione had been surprised when Severus agreed so readily to sitting in this section. She had to hold back a laugh as she thought about the odd group they made, the Golden Trio and the feared Potions Professor and thought to be Death Eater, Severus Snape making their way through the crowd, acting as if they were never enemies in the first place. Before they could sit down however they bumped into the most unlikely of people.

"Malfoy!" cried Ron. "What are you doing here?"

"Paying my respects Weasley, what else?" Draco said with his usual sneer. It seemed that his sudden decline in social status hadn't done anything to his nature.

Trying to keep the peace Hermione intervened saying, "I think it's really good of you to come today."

Draco gave her an odd look before his eyes wandered to the man standing to her left. "Severus, I was glad to hear about your recovery." Severus nodded his head, understanding what Draco's words had really meant.

"Feel free to visit the castle at your earliest convenience, we have much to discuss," Severus offered.

"I shall," Draco answered somewhat awkwardly. Looking around at the quickly filling seats he said, "I must be off, there are hardly any spots left. Good day." And with another curt nod he was off.

"Do you think we should have offered him a seat?" Hermione said concerned.

"Are you mad? Have Malfoy sit with the Order!" Ron responded.

"Yes, it's time to start putting the past behind us, to show a united front, Gryffindor's, Slytherins, Muggleborns, Purebloods we're all the same." Hermione said impassioned.

"Right you are," Severus murmured in her ear, sending a shiver up her spine as he did so.

She smiled up at him briefly before beginning their search for seats. Later it was hard not to lean on Severus' shoulder for comfort, she so badly wanted to. As each speaker came up she thought about all the people she knew and loved and what they had sacrificed for the war effort. She looked over at Severus repeatedly throughout the service, half the time checking to make sure he was alright, the other half reassuring herself that he was really there and safe beside her.